Sailing South with Toi et Moi: July 2014

Anchored, Marigot Bay

With a little bit of sadness but a couple bottles of Pussers in the hold, we slipped our mooring in Virgin Gorda and, 23 hours later, on June 19th, found ourselves anchored on the French side of St. Martin with starfish under our keel. St. Martin (Sint Marteen, Dutch side) is 37 square miles in area yet it is divided between two countries. We had heard it was easier and cheaper to clear in on the French side and I think we heard right. Dinghied over to the lagoon, went online, paid $7.25, and that was that. A walk over to the ferry docks and our passports were stamped. Voila, we are now legal! Walked around the town enjoying a little bit of France in the Leeward Islands.

Simpson Bay Lagoon where we cleared Customs.

Sculpture, Marina Fort Luis

The next day we took a bus($2/pp) to Phillipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island. Phillipsburg is a quaint cruise ship town with lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. World Cup fever took over the town as the French beat the Swiss, 5-0. We couldn't help being swept up in the event and enjoying a few cold ones at a beachside eatery. Throughout our stay we have continued to be caught up in World Cup fever.

Watching France beat Switzerland in the World Cup, Dutch side

On the waterfront in Phillipsburg

In Phillipsburg- a good overview of the island

St. Martin offers safe harbors, good provisioning and excellent marine facilities as well as somewhat reasonable air fares back to the states. I flew back for a week to visit my dad, check on the condo and shop for what wasn't available in St. Martin. I also got to visit with friends and was there to greet Ian and Maggy when they arrived. Congratulations to Maggy having just graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy! It was a short visit but we were anxious to move on. Ian and Maggy decided to join us and flew to St. Martin the day after I did. However, they were unable to crew on our next leg as we waited for engine mount brackets to be welded. Jon felt unusual engine vibrations enroute here and discovered one had sheered completely through.

The view of Simpson Bay and the Lagoon from the air

Always good to see my father!

Ian exploring underwater

Ian and Maggy at Pic Paradis- the highest point on the island
at 1,391 feet

So nice to have a new to us inflatable and a
reliable 9.8 outboard that can get us around!

Maggy trying out Snuba for the first time, long line & tank aboard

In the meantime we have been exploring by car what we thought we would be discovering by sea. Ian enjoyed kiteboarding and Jon enjoyed the nude beach at Orient Bay. Lunch at Grand Case and dinghy trips through the lagoon to Cole Bay and Simpson Bay. Not to mention all the sights, sounds and tastes available from our Marigot Bay anchorage. Jazz nights at Aux Vins. Conch at Chez Coco. On board, Ian and Maggy cleaned the F40's bottom, removed the servo rudder and shared sorely needed professionalism with essential cruising tasks.